Heart attack patient ordered to clean up own vomit

A paramedic ordered a heart attack patient clean up his own vomit and be quiet as he writhed in agony on a hospital floor, a disciplinary hearing heard.

6:22PM BST 29 Apr 2009

Ambulance man Colin Shields failed to carry out basic checks and did not recognise the tell-tale signs of a heart attack - mistaking the patient's symptoms for toothache.

He was given 10 months to retrain or face being struck off on Tuesday after the Health Professions Council ruled his fitness to practise was impaired.

The panel heard the victim dialled 999 because he was suffering severe jaw and lower back pain - classic symptoms of heart attack.

But when Shields arrived at his home in Manchester he failed to carry out even the most basic medical checks, and did not provide the patient - a diabetic - with any treatment.

It was only when the man demanded to be taken to hospital that Shields drove him to the nearby Manchester Royal Infirmary, the panel heard.

Shields did check the patient's medical history, so did not know he also suffered from high blood pressure and high cholesterol, making him a prime candidate for a heart attack.

Laura Napley, for the HPC, said: "Mr Shields did not carry out any medical assessment of the patient, made him walk to and from the ambulance unaided and did not complete a patient report form.

"At the hospital, Patient A followed Mr Shields into a treatment room and was told to sit on the bed and wait for a doctor.

"Due to his intense pain, the patient said he preferred to lie on the floor. When he subsequently vomited, Mr Shields told him to be quiet and clean up the mess."

Doctors later found he had suffered a massive heart attack and was minutes from death when they started treatment.

Shields admitted most of the allegations against him, saying he was 'distracted' on the day of the incident, July 30 2007.

The HPC panel, sitting in central London, ruled his fitness to practice was impaired and imposed a Conditions of Practise Order which requires Shields to complete training if he wishes to continue in the profession.